Following on from the success of Miranda from 1948, Glynis Johns reprises her role in this Charming British Comedy, this time set in Cornwall, by the sea.
After posting Personal Affair 1953, then Miranda 1948, in honour of Ms Johns’ 100th Birthday on Thursday, 5th September 2023, of course, I had to post the sequel, wish Glynis Johns a happy birthday, then sit back and enjoy this charming British comedy…
You can watch the prequel Miranda, 1948, on this channel here https://youtu.be/LGUx5lHotuU
Mad About Men is a 1954 British Technicolor comedy film directed by Ralph Thomas and starring Glynis Johns, Donald Sinden, Anne Crawford and Margaret Rutherford. It was written by Peter Blackmore, who also wrote the 1948 film Miranda which preceded Mad About Men. Johns appears in both films as the mermaid Miranda. However, Rank Films insisted it was not a sequel.
Stars: Glynis Johns, Donald Sinden, Anne Crawford, Margaret Rutherford
Director: Ralph Thomas
Writers: Peter Blackmore
Insights:
IMDb Mini Biography By: Steve Crook
Musical-voiced Glynis Johns is the daughter of actor Mervyn Johns. Best known for her light comedy roles and often playful flirtation, Glynis was born in South Africa while her parents were on tour there (her mother was a concert pianist) but was always proud of her Welsh roots and took delight in playing the female lead (opposite Richard Burton) in the classic Under Milk Wood (1971). Glynis is probably best known for her role as the suffragette mother in Mary Poppins (1964) although she is probably best loved for her fishy roles in Miranda (1948) and Mad About Men (1954). She had earlier shown she could take on serious roles as well as in Frieda (1947). Most recently seen (at the time of writing) in Superstar (1999).
Filming
The film was shot at Pinewood Studios and on location at Polperro in Cornwall and Long Crendon in Oxfordshire. Filming also took place in Brighton including at the Palace Pier. The film’s sets were designed by the art director George Provis.
Critical reception
Radio Times called the film “outdated hokum, a cliché-ridden story…this is certainly not the equal of the charming original.”
AllMovie praised it as a “delightful sequel to the saucy British comedy-fantasy Miranda.”
Trivia
Sequel to Miranda (1948), also written by Peter Blackmore, in which Glynis Johns played the seductive and flirtatious mermaid Miranda.
Goofs
A train sets off from a Cornish station the engine has a Cornish Riviera head board on it’s front and a name plate over the main wheels but when next seen it’s a small engine with side tanks, no tender and a rake of smooth side carriages but when it pulls into a station a short while later the coaches are older with paneling.
Quotes
Nurse Carey: Is he married?
Percy: No – I reckon he’s too wise.
Nurse Carey: I don’t know what you mean by that.
Percy: Well he’d rather make several ladies happy than one miserable.
Credit to : Isabella Mars
